Parkes turned out in huge numbers to remember the fallen during today’s Anzac Day celebrations.
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The day’s activities commenced with the Dawn Service at the monument on Memorial Hill, with several hundred people in attendance.
Some 50 wreaths were laid and local Presbyterian Church minister, Rev Craig Bland delivered a moving address.
While the number of ex-service personnel was down slightly, they joined with well-represented local schools for the march past which finished at Cooke Park.
There was another big crowd at the cenotaph for the day’s main commemoration service which was chaired by Kent Boyd (Parkes Shire Council General Manager) and conducted under bright and clear autumn skies.
The official party included Mayor Ken Keith, Rev Craig Bland (representing the Parkes Minister’s Association), Mrs Evelyn Gibson (vice-president ladies auxiliary), Arthur Parker (President RSL Sub Branch) and Terry Knowles (secretary RSL Sub Branch).
Parkes was fortunate to have one of its own, Commander Brett Westcott present to deliver the Anzac Address, with Year 12 Parkes High School student Taylah Smede providing the Youth Address.
Commander Westcott, whose wife Bronwyn was also part of the official party, said it was an honour ‘to be invited to address my home town ANZAC day commemoration.’
In a powerful address, he focused on the exploits of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, who gave his life willingly during the loss of HMAS Armidale in November 1942. Armidale was a sister ship to HMAS Parkes.
He added that he had also served on the submarine named after this sailor.
However, before recounting his story, Commander Westcott spoke of the meaning of Anzac.
“Every year, on this day, Australians the world over gather to remember a time when our nation’s youth made their mark on history.
“On that dawn 98 years ago today, on a beach on the other side of the world, the term ANZAC became emblazoned in our national consciousness.
“Our Allies and our enemies alike learned the tenacity of the Australian soldier.
“And so it is that we gather at this time each and every year to remember the first Anzac’s, and all who have worn the uniform since that time.
“We gather to remember their courage; their honour; their heroism; and ultimately to remember their sacrifice.
“For those of us who wear the uniform, and know what it means to go in harms way - how do we adequately remember and honour our forebears?
“To trawl through the annals of Australia’s military history is to be confronted with so many stories worth telling as to be overwhelmed.
“From every field of warfare, from every generation, from every theatre and from every ocean come tales of Australian military achievement which I find astonishing.
“Some of these tales are written large in our national consciousness – some have been forgotten – some may never be known.
“There are tales of heroic victory and tales of gut wrenching tragedy.
“There are stories which uplift and inspire and stories which horrify and alarm.
“The common thread is the people – the men and women who took up arms to do their countries bidding.
“How, in the comfort of the 21st century can we hope to relate to our forebears?
“The world we inhabit in today’s defence force seems so remote from the experience of our predecessors of even a generation ago.
“In this age of instant communication, precision navigation and constant contact with headquarters and family, not to mention hot and cold running water and satellite TV, how can we possibly relate?
“I humbly suggest we can.
“I do not pretend that we will ever live up to their reputation, but those of us who wear the uniform with pride can take comfort from the fact that we are not all that different from our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers.”
Commander Westcott then recounted the extraordinary exploits of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean.
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